Louisville's 21C Museum Hotel was named the top hotel in the United States at Conde Nast Traveler's 2009 Readers' Choice awards last night in New York City.
The popular local art-museum-cum-hotel also was voted the sixth best hotel in the world by readers of the travel magazine.
The awards are the results of a survey in which 25,008 Conde Nast Traveler readers voted on more than 10,000 properties and destinations. The Readers' Choice Awards rank the best cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, resorts, and car rental agencies worldwide.
21C Museum and Hotel was the only venue in Kentucky to earn recognition at the awards.
“Too often today, hotels are bland, isolated oases within cities that provide accommodations and dining but are removed from the city’s character and residents,” said Michael Bonadies, president and CEO of 21c Museum Hotels, in a press release.
“Thanks to 21c’s accessibility and social vibrancy, our guests have the opportunity to gain a real sense of the people and culture of Louisville as well as contemporary art from around the world. We are honored to be recognized as a destination for this great city and for travelers from around the country and the world.”
Bonadies, Steve Wilson, Clare Evans and Chett Abramson from 21C Museum Hotel were on hand to receive the award at a ceremony hosted by Stanley Tucci and Mary Louise Parker at New York's IAC Building.
Conde Nast Traveler's November issue, which will hit newsstands on Oct. 20, will include an article on the awards.
21C Museum Hotel was also featured in the October 2009 issue of enRoute, Air Canada's in-flight magazine, in a wonderfully written article (I wrote it) about hotels that give their art the full-on gallery treatment.
FTC disclosure: 21C Museum Hotel has not given me anything free in exchange for this article, but I'd have no qualms if it were to throw a red penguin or two my way.
For more information: Read about Louisville's need to do a better job promoting itself as a tourist destination.
